-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The federal agency that protects the nation 's borders is doing a shoddy job protecting the nation 's wallet , abusing an overtime fund to the tune of $ 8.7 million annually , according to a government watchdog .

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel , an independent federal agency that receives whistleblower complaints , said offices within Customs and Border Protection and elsewhere within the Department of Homeland Security engage in a `` gross waste of government funds . ''

Overtime money intended for special circumstances was routinely given to employees who frequently spent that time watching sports and entertainment channels , Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner wrote in a letter to the White House .

Employees working in CBP 's `` Situation Room '' received overtime 89 percent of the time , Lerner said .

`` This case is not an isolated occurrence . Rather , it is part of a persistent pattern of AUO -LSB- Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime -RSB- allegations raised by DHS employees , '' Lerner wrote .

The problem was brought to light , the OSC said , by several CBP employees who were authorized to receive the overtime pay but were troubled by the ethics of the practice and its impact on the federal budget .

The DHS said in a statement that Acting Secretary Rand Beers had requested a `` comprehensive , department-wide review of the use of -LRB- administrative overtime -RRB- . ''

`` DHS takes seriously its responsibility to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds , '' spokesman Peter Boogaard said .

DHS made a similar promise after allegations of overtime abuse surfaced in 2008 , the Special Counsel said .

In February of that year , a whistleblower alleged abuses at the Office of Border Patrol in Lynden , Washington . After a department report confirmed that employees abused overtime and that senior managers benefited from improperly approved overtime , the agency promised to implement `` an Agency-wide AUO policy directive '' to prevent misuse throughout the agency .

`` That commitment was made more than five years ago , '' Lerner wrote in her letter to the White House . `` The lack of progress in implementing plans first outlined five years ago raises questions about the agency 's willingness or ability to confront this important problem . ''

The use of administrative overtime `` functionally -LSB- extended -RSB- their daily shift by two hours each day , but are not the result of any unpredictable or compelling law enforcement need , '' Lerner wrote .

Lerner wrote that DHS must curb the abuse and , if warranted , revise the pay system to ensure fair pay for employees who are legitimately working overtime .

The OSC said it is investigating whistleblower allegations of overtime abuse at five DHS locations :

-- CBP 's Office of Training and Development in Glynco , Georgia .

-- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ' Office of Security and Integrity in Washington .

-- Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Houston .

-- CBP 's facility in San Ysidro , California .

-- CBP 's facility in Laredo , Texas .

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said the revelations the overtime allowance is meant for agents who work unique hours `` often in pursuit of drug smugglers '' and other people `` who pose a threat '' to the nation .

`` This money was not meant to be a slush fund for officers or agents at desk jobs who work regular hours and who are clearly taking advantage of the system , '' he said . `` The Committee will continue to investigate abuses such as this . ''

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Whistleblower watchdog says overtime fund abused by $ 8.7 million annually

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Customs and other Homeland Security offices engaged in `` gross waste '' of taxpayer funds

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Overtime money routinely given to employees who spent time watching TV

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Official says case not isolated and was raised by Customs employees